In the examination for office, the Book of Order states in G2.0104b:
Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (F-1.02). The council responsible for ordination and/or installation (G.2.0402; G-2.0607; G-3.0306) shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of ordered ministry. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirement as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003). Councils shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.
At Chapel by the Sea, the examination will take place as follows:
1. The Nominating Committee will present to each nominee the constitutional questions for ordination and installation from W-4.4003. These questions will be asked PRIOR to the congregational meeting in which the ruling elders are elected.
2. Each nominee, prior to the congregational meeting in which elders are elected, will present a brief essay for publication in the newsletter and for inclusion in the Session Minutes. This essay should be a spiritual biography. A few of the issues the writer might address are:
- how did you come to know Christ,
- how did you become a Presbyterian,
- how did you become a member of Chapel by the Sea,
- how have you served in the church in the past or present, and
- what are some one or more of the most important experiences in your life that shape your faith.
3. The Session may, after the election of elders, ask elders-elect additional questions.
4. The Session will certify the examination and election of elders in a meeting between the election of ruling elders and their ordination/installation.
The constitutional questions are:
a. Do you trust in Jesus Christ your Savior, acknowledge him Lord of all and Head of the Church, and through him believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
b. Do you accept the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be, by the Holy Spirit, the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ in the Church universal, and God’s Word
to you?
c. Do you sincerely receive and adopt the essential tenets of the Reformed faith as expressed in the confessions of our church as authentic and reliable expositions of what Scripture leads us to believe and do, and will you be instructed and led by those confessions as you lead the people of God?
d. Will you fulfill your ministry in obedience to Jesus Christ, under the authority of Scripture, and be continually guided by our confessions?
e. Will you be governed by our church’s polity, and will you abide by its discipline? Will you be a friend among your colleagues in ministry, working with them, subject to the ordering of God’s Word and Spirit?
f. Will you in your own life seek to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, love your neighbors, and work for the reconciliation of the world?
g. Do you promise to further the peace, unity, and purity of the church?
h. Will you pray for and seek to serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love?
i. Will you be a faithful ruling elder, watching over the people, providing for their worship, nurture, and service? Will you share in government and discipline, serving in councils of the church, and in your ministry will you try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ?
